Remarks After Meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister YanukovychRichard L. Armitage, Deputy Secretary of StateKyiv, Ukraine March 25, 2004 QUESTION:What are the prospects for Ukraine to join the WTO and get the status of market economy?
DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: On the question of WTO, we should support membership but I understand there is some legislative process that has to be followed here. But we are very supportive of Ukraine’s accession to the WTO. On the market economy status, as I understand it, there has to be a new petition. We have one of our officials from the Commerce Department coming here in the near future to discuss these matters with our friends in Kyiv.
QUESTION:When can the market access protocol with the U.S. be signed with Ukraine?
DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: I think, as our Ambassador said, the legislation here is the crucial matter. You have got to have the legislation first. The key to it is the legislation. It is not a question of optical media.
QUESTION: Do you think, by the end of 2004, Ukraine can get accession to the WTO?
DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: My crystal ball is as cloudy as yours. Thank you all very much. Released on March 25, 2004 |
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